The cloaked figure road down an old somewhat overgrown trail in the thick of Wesley Forest atop a small light brown horse. The rider was draped in a green and grey mottled cloak with a deep cowl shadowing their face and slung over their shoulder was a massive longbow with an accompanying quiver of 24 arrows.

The pale orange light of the setting sun shone even through the thick trees of the familiar forest as the horse and rider trod at a moderate pace down the slightly used path.

The rider pulled gently on the reins of the small horse and it came to a stop in the middle of the track. The figure dismounted and began to check the shoes of the horse. Or so it appeared to onlookers. While the rider was so diligently checking it's horses hooves, under the deep cowl bright blue eyes were scanning the tree line for the source of the movement the figure had seen.

The rider stood and let a grin form on her lips.

"So Petal." The horse turned its head towards her rider and nudged her on the shoulder. "Should we tell Crowley that he's worn out his hiding spot?" Petal let out a short snort and shook her mane.

That wouldn't be wise Lea. He has a reputation to protect and an ego to nurture.  Lea let out a short laugh.

"Of course. I'll just let him play out his game for a while longer" Now of course her horse didn't speak but Lea knew what her horse ment by her actions. She often wondered if other Rangers spoke to their horses but pushed the thought aside. Best not to ask. Lea stroked her horses mane a few times before mounting her again. "Off we go then" Petal shook her head and began her steady trot down the path.

About time. Lea patted her horses neck.

"You know how he his. Best to leave him be" Petal let out a grunt

Isn't that what I told you?

"Oh hush" Lea said with a smile. "Lets pick up the pace shall we? It's getting dark" She pushed her heels gently in Petal's flanks and the horse took off farther into the forest towards their destination.

~

Sometime later Lea and Petal arrived at their destination. They rode into a large clearing dotted with tents and fire pits with fires now burning inside them. All around the clearing there were figures wearing cloak the same as her. She smiled at the sight. It's been a whole year since she's seen many of these faces. She saw a few new faces as well and it made happy. Fresh meat, she thought. That's what she called newly found apprentices.

The Annual Ranger Gathering.

Lea got down off her horse and stretched. It was a two days journey from Meric Fief where she was stationed and she had been riding all day. Normally this wouldn't faze her but being here amongst all the familiar faces was a once a year thing and the lively atmosphere hit her like the battle axe of an angry Skandian.

She was pulled from her thoughts by a friendly voice calling her name and she looked to see a boy her age making his way across the clearing towards her waving his hands get her attention. She waved back and made her way to meet him in the middle and Petal followed close behind her.
Will Treaty. A close friend and fellow hero of the kingdom.

"Will!" Lea called cheerfully. She pulled her cowl off of her head revealing her long dark brown hair that was tied back in a ponytail. She embraced the boy as they reached each other. She was delighted to see him. The last time they met as at last year's Gathering. "Its been a long time! How have you been? How are things in Seacliff?" The two were close friends. They were trained together as apprentices and shared many adventures together. But these days things have been very calm and anticlimactic.

Before Will had a chance to answer a gruff voice sounded behind them and they looked to see and older man who donned the same cloak as them. He was short than the two and had scruffy gray and a just as gray unkempt beard.

"Still asking multiple questions in a row I see" The man said.

"Halt! Still cutting your beard with your saxe I see" Lea replied before embracing the older man. "It's good to see you too by the way" Halt raised an eyebrow in reply.

Halt O'Carrick. Legendary Ranger of the kingdom of Araluen.

"Just as quick witted as ever" Halt said with a slight laugh. "More than I can say for Will here." He pointed to Will.

"Not true!" Will said offended. "I'm plenty witty!"

"No you're not" Lea and Halt said in unison and they shook their heads. Will groaned in frustration.

"See" Halt said. "You could have come back with a smart remark but instead you groaned." Lea laughed.

"Not very witty at all" She said through her laughter. Will opened his mouth to reply but nothing came out making Lea howl with laughter. Halt let a sly grin form in the corner of his mouth as he watched his former apprentices quarrel.

"I can be witty when I want to be!" Will said defensively.

"You couldn't make a good comeback if your life depended on it!" Lea said amused. Will flushed red with aggravation.

Before Will could think of a reply they duo was grabbed on the shoulders heartily and they both looked to see Gilan standing between them.

"Gilan!" Lea said cheerfully.

"Hey kiddo" Gilan replied with the same smile he had the last time she saw him. "Hello Will"

"Hi Gilan" Will said. "Long time no see"

"I could say the same about both of you" He said and he released their shoulders from his friendly grip.

"Don't I get a hello" Halt said in that same gruff tone making Lea and Will both laugh.

"Oh!" Gilan said in surprise. "I didn't see you there Halt! You're so well hidden"

"Oh haha" Halt said dryly. "The wit just never stops." He looked up at the sky and sighed "Why did I pick such obnoxious students?" He asked the sky. Not waiting for an answer he looked back at the trio standing before him

"Come now Halt" Gilan said acting slightly offended. "You can't mean that" Lea played the same game

"Deep down you love us" Lea said with a sly smile and Will put his hand in front of his mouth to suppress his laughter.

"In another life" Halt said. "Now Will on the other hand. Why can't you both be like Will. He a polite enough not to mock me." At this point Will couldn't hold it anymore and a roar of laughter escaped from him cause Lea and Gilan to begin laughing as well. Halt raised an eyebrow. "Gods help me" He whispered to no one in particular.

"I see you're all having a good time" The group turned to find the source of the voice was Crowley.

"Finally someone with manners" Halt said.

"Hello Crowley" Lea managed the greeting as she caught her breath. Will and Gilan were leaning on each other for support, both of them continued laughing as Halt scolded them.

"Well this Gathering is off to a nice start" Crowley said as he observed the others exchanges.

"Indeed" Lea said with a bright smile. "And how are you Crowley"

"Swamped with paperwork as always" Crowley said unpleased by the fact. "And what of you Leanna." Crowley had always called her by her proper name even now. "How is Malic these days?"

"Quiet and calm as would be expected" Lea replied. "I have had to deal with things here and there but there has been nothing out of the ordinary happening. All is well" Crowley clapped her on the shoulder.

"Good to hear!" Lea had always liked Crowley. He was always so kind to her. "Keep up the good work"

The rest of the night was spent between Will, Halt and Lea catching up on their activities over the last year. Despite Halt's objections to the fact, he had indeed asked multiple times how his former apprentices had been getting along in their new homes. Lea smiled at his concerns for their well being. She and Will both knew he cared even though he would never admit it. Halt was like a father to them both.

Tug, Will's horse, had been delighted to see Petal. Halt's horse Alberd on the other hand was less affectionate towards his younger companions and it was often evident that the two younger horses would playfully harass Alberd. Their actions mirrored those of their masters. Lea noticed this and pointed it out to Halt and Will who both rejected her notion saying it was just her but she knew they both agreed.

~

The days of the Gathering that followed were the same as they always were.

Lea and Will both found it necessary to bother Halt as much as possible if only to make up for the whole years worth of absence that was likely to follow the Gathering.

Halt brushed away their actions or playful teasing without so much as an eyebrow raise, but deep down he enjoyed the sentiment. Not that he'd ever tell them that of course.

As soon as it began the Gathering came to a close and the friends that had only recently been united would have to part once more.